Surnames and Family Research Forum Archive

HARRIS, Isham and Elizah, Halifax Cnty, VA

Hello everyone. This weekend I think I made some pretty good progress on my GGrandmother's side of the family. During our family reunion for my GGrandfather's side of the family (her husband) in July, I obtained pictures of my GGrandmother's parents. You know how putting a face to a name can reinvigorate some old research!
Well, I found Isham and Elizah Harris, who according to the marriage certificate of Washington Harris and Rosanna Wray, are my GGGrandfather's parents. Washington Harris is my GGGrandfather. I found them in the 1880 census living next to my GGGrandfather. So, I can 99% say that this is the Isam/Isham Harris I am looking for. I went back to 1870 and found Isham and Lee Harris - I believe that Lee and Elizah are one in the same as the children are identical in name, age etc. There was an additional child listed who was 18 in 1870 - so by 1880 I am assuming heis off and married.
Ok, so here is where all my history gets confusing. In 1900, I find an Eliza Harris living with a Richard Harris. Richard Harris is not in the picture either living with my Eliza and Isham in 1870 or 1880 and he is not a close neighbor according to the census. However, this Eliza Harris is living in the same county, district and VERY close to the same homestead as my Eliza and Isham Harris. I find Eliza living with Richard again in 1910, same place and all. But now the are listed as Mulatto and not Black AND her age actually went down by 2 years..... The weird thing is that this is the only Richard and Elvira in Halifax County with a mother named Eliza living and all the same children. So I chalk this up as just being the time when they really don't know how old they are.... they are just guessing.
Now, my question is, what piece or pieces of information should I look for to determine if the Eliza Harris living with her son Richard in 1900 and 1910, is my Elizah Harris living with her husband Isham in the 1870 and 1880 census, who lives beside my GGGrandfather. What am I missing......

Thanks in advance for reading this long message and for any help you can provide.